A NEW plan has been approved by Teignbridge Council to help residents be healthier and more active.

The Active Wellbeing Plan will see Teignbridge Council work with health, social care, education, community and voluntary organisations to make it easier for residents to find and attend local exercise and wellbeing activities.

The council also aims to work to support community venues and grow stronger links with sports clubs, schools, health services and voluntary groups.

By combining existing leisure centres with community-based activities and groups, the council hopes it will make exercising cheaper and more inclusive for residents, while also growing the numbers of people taking part.

The plan also includes developing personalised wellbeing and activity plans online.

Teignbridge District Council Executive Member for Leisure and Recreation, Councillor John Nutley, said: ‘This plan is a huge step towards helping more residents lead active and healthy lives.

‘With a growing population, many people will need local facilities for both their physical and mental health.’

The Active Wellbeing strategy was approved by members of the council’s ruling Executive Committee.

It will move the council beyond a focus on leisure centres to a wider approach focused on supporting residents to stay healthy and active in their local communities.

The new plan is based on feedback from residents and partners.

It aims to tackle some of the biggest health challenges in Teignbridge.

These include not being active enough, obesity and poor mental health.

Some residents also find it difficult to be active because they live in more rural areas while others are excluded because they are short of money.